WCPCA

World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association (WCPCA)

The World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association (WCPCA) is a trademark non-profit that raises money for scholarship charities, as well as organisations that aid youth and the wider local community. We host a signature pumpkin-launching event each year, fuelling innovative engineering and science-based ideas that draw spectators from all over the world.

We believe that Punkin Chunkin cultivates the odd, challenging, and competitive quest for distance that inspires creativity, ingenuity, teamwork, and passion. It is this very dedication that drives teams to compete using science and engineering skills and brings spectators to the gate which allows us to continue our never ending thirst to support our scholarship and charitable programs.

Sponsors

Thanks to our many sponsors without whom this annual event would not be possible.

Our official fitness sponsors Vibration Plate Info allow you to keep yourself in shape with minimal effort and time.

Got Questions

You’ve got questions? We’ve got answers. Whether you’re watching from the sidelines, standing in the pit or vending your wares, the FAQs below should tell you everything you need to know about our event. FAQ >>

History

Punkin Chunkin Founders Honored at Ceremony

Members of the Punkin’ Chunkin’ Association, sponsors of the annual World Championship Punkin’ Chunkin’ event honored four men this year considered the founding fathers of what has become a nationally recognized event.

Wayne Sennett, a punkin’ chunker and member of the association, presented plaques to John Ellsworth and Trey Melson in Ellsworth’s Preservation Forge blacksmiths shop. Sennett presented a plaque to Bill Thompson during the awards banquet held last week. Arrangements are being made to get Donald “Doc” Pepper’s plaque to him.

Donald (Doc) Pepper“It all started back in 1986,” said Ellsworth. “We were playing around one day and somebody started talking about throwing pumpkins. There had been an article in a newspaper or on television about some people throwing pumpkins at Salisbury State. A physics class or something. One of us said that they could throw further than someone else and I threw my hat on the ground.”

“No one had any gloves” said Melson.

“Anyway,” said Ellsworth, “Trey and Bill both stomped on my hat and that kind of threw the gauntlet down. I can’t remember who won that first year.”

“Yes you can,” said Melson.

“Oh yeah. You whupped up on everybody.”

(The longest shot that year – in a small field in a woods owned by Thompson near Georgetown – was 126’. Wolfman Joe Thomas’ winning shot this year went more than 3,000 feet into the wind.)

Ellsworth remembers that Melson’s bow with a catapult arm broke all day long. “It broke on every throw and every time it broke, the pumpkin went further.”

Melson said he was “tickled to death” and surprised at receiving the plaque. “I’m glad that people are recognizing who was involved.” Ellsworth said that he was “highly honored.”

This years event drew more than 20,000 people and grossed more than $100,000 in ticket sales and associated revenues. A total of 72 teams competed. Sennett said that more than $70,000 of that will be distributed in scholarships to a variety of community organizations.

“We’re particularly proud that this year’s event was organized by an all volunteer committee,” said Sennett. “We’re presenting these plaques on behalf of every man, woman or child who ever threw, tossed, catapulted or smashed a pumpkin, with our wholehearted thanks, gratitude and great respect.”

Reprinted courtesy of the Cape Gazette.

Spectators

We pride ourself on providing spectacular entertainment for our visitors, even in-between events we keep our visitors entertained with fairground rides, superb catering facilities, games for children, adult casino entertainment (courtesy of deutscheonlinecasino.de and ceske-casino-online.cz) and many other attractions. Check out our FAQ section to find out more.